Attachment for steam-engines



No. 6|8,434. I Patented Jan. 3|, I899.

. a. PALM.

ATTACHMENT FOR STEAM ENGINES.

(Application filed Dec. 18, 1897.)

(No Model.)

mmlll N ITED STATES PATENT Prion.

GEORGE PALM, OF BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA.

ATTACHMENT FOR STEAM-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 618,434, dated January31, 1899.

Application filed December 18, 1897. Serial No. 662,403. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, GEORGE PALM, a resident of Butler, in the countyof Butler and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Attachments for Steam-Engines; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to engines.

In the oil-fields there are great numbers of a certain type ofsteam-engines which are particularly adapted to the drilling ofoilwells. After a well has been drilled the same engine is oftenemployed for operating the pump. There is considerable expense, however,attached to operating a steam-engine, especially when the wells arelocated at inaccessible points, as they often are, where it is difficultto obtain fuel and water. Gasengines have been introduced to some extentfor pumping purposes, but for drilling they have not been found to bepracticable, owing to the severe treatment to which an engine issubjected in drilling. To employ a steamengine for drilling and thenincur the additional expense of purchasing a gas-engine for pumpingpurposes would greatly reduce the profits arising from a well,especially if the well is not one of large capacity. Furthermore, evenafter a gas-engine has been substituted for the steam-engine it may benecessary to drill the hole deeper, draw the easing, or do some otherwork in connection with the well for which the gas-engine is inadequate.Then the steam-engine must be employed. The result is that many wellshave a gas-engine for pumping andkeep in reserve the steam-engine,whichmay be brought into play when necessary.

The object of my invention is to provide an attachment for steamengineswhereby said engines may be quickly converted into a gas-engine, or viceversa.

My invention comprises the novel features hereinafter described andclaimed.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I willdescribe the same more fully, referring to the accompanying drawings, inwhich-"- Figure 1 is a side View of a steam-engine with my inventionapplied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of thecylinder with my invention attached thereto. Fig. 8 is an end view ofthe attachment. Fig. 4 is an interior end view of same.

Like letters indicate like parts in each of the figures.

The letter a designates the foundation upon which the steam-engine Arests. This engine is composed of the customary parts, which do not needdetailed description.

The cylinder b has the stufling-box c at the forward end thereof,through which the pieton-rod d passes and to which the piston e isattached. This piston e is illustrated as cupshaped, although it maybeof the ordinary construction.

The ports ff are the ordinary steam-ports leading to the cylinder 5 andcontrolled by the oscillating valve g. The steam-inlet is represented bythe letter h and the exhaust by the letter 2'.

A water-jacket 7o surrounds the cylinder 1), and if my invention isapplied to a steam-engine not provided with such water-jacket it isapparent that such a water-jacket maybe readily constructed between theflanges at the front and rear heads of the cylinder, as indicated bydotted lines, Fig. 2. Pipes Z Z are provided for admitting and carryingofi water.

Secured to the rear end of the cylinder bis the box or shell M. M isillustrated and described as cylindrical in form, yet I do not wish tolimit myself to any particular shape. Within said shell M is theinlet-chamber m, to which the explo- While this box or shell sive, suchas gas and air, is admitted by the 1 inlet m. Ports m lead from thischamber m to the chamber n, and said ports are con trolled'by the valven. This valve n has a stem M, which passes up through a suitable guideand may extend into the cap 0 at the upper end of said shell. A spring0, encircling the stem n is interposed between the nut on the end ofsaid stem and the bottom of chamber m, so that the valve n is normallyclosed. Below the chamber a is the exhaust-chamber p, which iscontrolled by a valve p, whose stem 19 passes down through an opening insaid exhaust-chamber and stuffing-box q. Aspring q is interposed betweenthe stuffing-box q and the bifurcated end g of, said stem 19 which actsto normally close sprocket-wheel s on the main shaft if, which carriesthe fiy-whecl t.

Secured to the shell M is the igniter U, which consists of the hot tubeu, surrounded by the larger tube u. A gas-pipe a admits gas to the outertube it, while the openings a supply the air. The ignition of the gaskeeps the hot tube u at a high heat. The passage it keeps the chambernin communication with the hot tube and the gases are accordinglyexploded, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

Secured to or forming part thereof, if desired, of the shell M is thedisk 0, said disk having the bolt-holes 0, through which the bolts passwhich secure said disk to the flanges Z) around the end of the cylinder1). This disk 2: has the opening 49, which brings the chamber 02. intocommunication with the cylinder Z). A watenpassage w is formed in thedisk 1), said water-passage communicating with the water-jacket by meansof the ports 10. The water enters by the pipe Z and, passing through thedisk, enters the waterjacket It, so that a constant circulation of thewater is maintained.

The disk n has the inwardly-extending neck or collar :13, which entersthe cylinder Z), fitting snugly therein. This neck as rests against ashoulder w in said cylinder. A tightjoint is thus obtained. This neck oralso cuts off the steam-port f. Any other suitable form of projection onthe disk n which will cut off the steam-port f may be employed.

Where a steam-engine has been in use for drilling purposes and isalready on the ground, it may be readily converted into a gas-engine foruse in pumping the well in the following manner: The rear cylinder-headis first removed, and the shell M is secured to the cylinder byinserting the neck a: of the disk r into the cylinder and by boltingsaid disk to the flanges Z) of said cylinder. The disk thus forms therear end of cylinder, while the opening in the center thereof brings thecylinder into communication with the shell M. It the cylinder is notalready provided with a water-jacket, one can be readily provided byencircling the cylinder between its flanges at the end thereof withsheet-iron. When the shell M has thus been secured in place, the engineis then ready for operation. Steam may be employed to start the engine,as the portf is still open and steam can be admitted at one end ofcylinder. To draw in the first charge of the explosive mixture, thefly-wheel maybe turned by hand. The gas and air are admitted to thechamber m, and as the piston travels forward a vacuum is formed, whichcauses the valve n to open and allow the explosive mixture to enter thechamber n, whence it may pass to the cylinder. As the piston returns theexplosive mixture is compressed, the cup-piston acting to form suchcompression-chamber. When the gases have been compressed, they will thenbe exploded' by the hot tube of the igniter, which is brought intodirect contact with said gases. The explosion drives the piston forward.The cam 0", working on the roller 2', acts to elevate the valve 19 atthe proper time to allow the exploded gases to escape into theexhaust-chamber 13.

If for any reason more power is needed, the steam may be admitted tofront end of cylinder, so that the piston will have steam on one end andgas on the other, or if for any reason still greater power is needed theengine may be quickly transformed into a complete steam-engine.

YVhat I claim. as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

In an engine, the combination of a cylinder having steam-ports at eachend thereof, a valve controlling said ports, a piston, a box or shellhaving a-chainber therein with inlet and exhaust ports for the admissionthereto and discharge therefrom of the live and dead gases, an igniterand a disk on said box or shell having a projection adapted to fitwithin one end of the engine-cylinder and close the steam-port adjacentthereto, said disk having an opening therein whereby said chamber is incommunication with said cylinder, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I, the said GEORGE PALM, have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE PALM.

W itnesses:

Row. D. TOTTEN, ROBERT C. TOTTEN.

